In many ways, now is a good time to buy an astronomical telescope. However, because of the huge choice of such products available, consumers can be left feeling confused.

If you are in this position, don’t despair. There is plenty of information and advice available to help you make sure you end up with the device that suits your personal needs.

Before you go into the details of particular products, you should consider what exactly it is you are after and you should have some basic grasp of how they work. This will enable you to make a more informed choice between the objects.

One of the main aspects of the devices is their aperture, or the diameter of their main optical component – which can be a lens or a mirror. This determines its ability to gather light and its capacity to resolve images.

If you are keen to observe dim galaxies, nebulae and star clusters, you may benefit from opting for a telescope with an aperture larger than ten inches. These ‘deep-sky’ objects can be hard to locate otherwise.

However, if you are not focused on this, a smaller astronomical telescope may be more appropriate for you. After all, you may well have to transport the item and if it is lacking in portability, you’re use of it may be limited.

These are just two factors you should bear in mind when selecting your telescope but they are a good place to start. By taking your time over the decision, you should be able to avoid frustration and disappointment over the end result.